Door saddle



' J Feb. 24, 1942.

F. W. KAMMERER DOOR SADDLE Filed May 4, 1939 r? Fred Z0. Kind-mere) a; 5.94% 42 14%;;

Mommy Patented Feb. 24, 1942 UNITED @STATES FATE-{T OFFICE DOOR SADDLE .Fred W. Kammerer, New York, N. Y.

Application May 4, 1939, Serial No. 271,797

13. Claims.

This. application is a; continuation-in-part of 'my' prior-filed application Serial No. 157,793,

filed August 7, 1937, for Door saddles.

-' The present invention relates tothreshold constructions or door saddles particularly adapted for use with horizontally sliding doors.

- It is a primary object of the invention to provide threshold constructions forsliding doors and cooperating guide strips associated with, and

. adapted to be mounted upon, the sliding doors,

to effect a substantially weather-tight joint between the door and threshold.

It'is a further object of the invention to provide interfitting parts associated with sliding' doorsand thresholds which will facilitate the sliding movement of the doors relative tov the thresholds;

It is a further object of theinvention to provide, in an installation of the class-described, a

construction which will not jam in the event that the door sags somewhat, and whichwill permit some latitude in the hanging of the doors, whereby the necessityior exactness offit is dispensed with. I

In carrying out the invention, I preferablygemploy extruded metal elements of novel cross-sectional shape for the thresholdc'onstru'ction and for the :guide strips adapted to be secured. tothe horizontally sliding doors.'

In the accompanying drrawing, a number-of illustrative embodiments ofthe invention are disclosed, but it must be understood that the invention is not limited to thespe'cific details shown therein and described below, since 'many variations willxreadily occur to one skilled in the art.

Figure 4 is a similar view of a guide strip used in the form of the. inventlonshown in Figure 3,

and i Figure 5 is a similar View of a'weatherstrip which may. be employed with the forms of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 3.

InFigure 1, there is disclosed an installation for double sliding doors, the doors being'indicated at 50 and 5!, respectively. A threshold block 52 extends outwardly from the flooring 53 and'is provided at its top, if desired, with a metal finishing plate 54, disposed in the plane of the upper face of the flooring 53.

A tread section 55 is disposed beneath the inner door- 50 and comprises a horizontal top wall 56 from which depend the pedestals 0r flanges 51 and 58. Pedestal 5'! is formed with an upwardly opening, inwardly enlarging, longitudinally extending recess which receives the complementarily beaded edge 59 of a side section 60, engagement being effected by relative longitudinal movement. The flange 58 is continued around and upwardly into the flange or tongue 6| to form a relatively narrow, upwardly opening channel 62. At its base the flange or pedestal 58 has an outwardly and downwardly inclined shoulder iii.

A strip 64 secured along and coextensive in length with the outer bottom: margin of the door 59 has a downwardly projecting tongue or'flange t5 of the same length, which isslidably received in channel 6Z,.the strip 64 also having a flange portion 86 of similar length extending outwardly anddownward1y=over the joint between the flange 65 and the'channel 62, to act as araindrip.

In order to make the'joint between the downwardly projecting flange 65 and the. upwardly facing channel 62 weather-tight, a flexible strip of spring-bronze orother metallic weather-stripping .84 may be secured'to the lower edge of the door; beneath the rigid strip 64. The lower end 81 of. the spring metal strip may project laterally into frictionalrcontact with the adjacent face of the" channel 62', as indicated in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, thus forming'an eflective, weather-tight seal between the door and the tread section .of the threshold.

A second-tread section 61," generally similar'to the section 55, ispositioned in parallel relation to and in'front of'the latter. The pedestal portion $8 of section 61 is-formed with a flange'68' substantially closing the gap between the sections and with a foot'69 lower than the shoulder 63. Resting ontop of the foot 69 and shoulder 63 is'a holding strip!!! which assumes the inclined position shown. The outer pedestal portion ll of the saddle 6! is provided outwardly with a longitudinally extending recess 12 which receivesjthe beaded edge '13 of a side section 74. A strip,

the same as strip 64, is secured along the lower outer margin of door 5! and is similarly guided in the groove or channel 62 formed in the top of pedestal. 'lL'Pedestal 68 is provided 'with' an opening it, pedestal 1| with a bottom transverse groove 71, and the outer edge of the sidesections "14 with a bottom transverse groove 18, so that water can drain from the channel between the two tread sections over the hold-down strip and through the openings to the front of side section 14.

The outer tread section 61 preferably is provided with a second upwardly facing, elongated, longitudinally extending channel 96, in which the lower end of the outwardly and downwardly turned, raindrip flange 64 may project.

Preferably, the lower faces of the doors 50, El are spaced from the horizontal tread sections a distance equal to the spacing of the lower ends of the flanges 65, 65 from the bottoms of the channels 62, 62' to compensate for slight sagging of the doors and to avoid the necessity for an extremely nice fit of the parts. 7

In use the lower flanges 65, 65 of strips 84 and T5 slide in their respective channels or grooves, thereby positively guiding the lower edges of the doors and providing a weather seal, the doors being locked against any substantial transverse displacement relative to the treads.

In Figures 2, 3 and 4, modified forms of the invention are disclosed. In Figure 2, the tread sections 89, 98 are provided with upwardly facing, longitudinally extending, .cross-sectionally rounded, re-entrant grooves 9|, 92, adapted to receive the lower, cross-sectionally rounded, beaded edges 93, 94 of strips 95, 91 secured to the lower'edges of the sliding doors. This construction is advantageous in some installations where positive means for preventing transverse separation of the strips and the tread sections is desired. The strips 95, 91 can be assembled only by relative endwise movement with respect to the tread sections. After the threshold has been secured in place, with the strips 95, 91 secured thereto, the doors are hung and the strips are then secured to the doors by wood screws or the like.

In the construction shown in Figures 3 and 4, reference numeral 19 designates a tread which presents a parallel walled upwardly opening channel 83 which receives the guide flange 8| of a strip 82, the lower inner margin of the latter being relieved at 83 and being lapped by the lower normally outwardly sprung margin of a weatherstrip 84 identical to the one used in the construction of Figure 1. The lower edge of the strip bears against the inner wall of the channel. Strip 82 has the outwardly and downwardly inclined raindrip 85 extending substantially parallel to the outer face of the upwardly projecting flange 86 of the tread section. The natural relation of the Weatherstrip 84 is shown in Figure 4, while in Figure 5 I have shown the Weatherstrip removed from the door and tread section.

The saddle and guide strip structures shown in Figure 3 differ from that of Figure 1 primarily in that the pedestal 19 has a rounded groove for the reception of a correspondingly shaped, beaded edge of a side section 88, and in that the upwardly projecting flange86 is somewhat thicker than the corresponding flange 6| in Figure l and has a downwardly and outwardly inclined outer face. Moreover, the raindrip flange 85 has an outwardly and downwardly inclined outer face which meets the strip 82 on a oblique angle, which improves the appearance of the strip.

It will be understood that in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 3, substantial vertical movement of the doors relative to the saddle is possible without the guide tongues or flanges either abutting the bottom of channels or moving above the walls of the latter. ,The structures shown in these figures may be used in substitution for the outer saddle of Figure 2, and is shown as supporting an outer side section 88.

The structure of Figure 3 may, of course, also be readily adapted for a single door installation.

It will be understood that variations in the arrangement, form and combination of the parts may be made without departure from the invention, and as to these variables, I do not limit myself except as in the following claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a sliding door, of a saddle having a raised tread section of substantial width disposed directly below the door and a longitudinally extending, upwardly facing, relatively narrow groove along one edge, and an extruded metal strip secured along and substantially coextensive in length with the lower edge of the door and including a first flange projecting intosaid upwardly facing channel in substantially weathertight relation, and a second flange integral with said strip projecting outwardly and downwardly and covering the joint between the first flange and the channel.

2. The combination with a sliding door, of a saddle comprising a tread section of substantial Width directly underlying the door, downwardly projecting supporting flanges integral with said section, and an upwardly projecting flange integral with one of said supporting flanges and forming therewith, a narrow upwardly opening channel, and means secured to and substantially coextensive in length with the sliding door forming a downwardly projecting tongue extending into said channel in slidable relation with respect thereto, said means having an outwardly and downwardly turned flange integral with said tongue and extending over and covering the upwardly projecting flange of the saddle.

3. In combination, a threshold for a sliding door and a cooperating metallic strip carried by the lower edge of the door in slidable relation with respect to the threshold, said threshold comprising an extruded metal section having substantially parallel vertically disposed walls forming a narrow, longitudinally extending, upwardly opening channel therebetween, and a tread section of substantially the width of the door extending from one side of the channel, said strip comprising an extruded metal section including a downwardly projecting flange substantially coextensive in length with the door and having substantially parallel side faces disposed in said channel, and a laterally and downwardly projecting flange integral with said strip and the first-mentioned flange secured to one face of the door at the lower edge thereof and covering the joint between the first-mentioned flange and said channel.

4. In combination, a threshold for sliding doors and a cooperating metallic strip carried by and substantially coextensive in length with the lower edge of the door in slidable relation with respect to the threshold, said threshold comprising walls forming an elongated, reentrant, cross-sectionally rounded, longitudinally extending groove along one edge thereof, said strip terminating at its lower end in a continuous enlarged, crosssectionally rounded edge portion equal in length to the strip and disposed in said re-entrant groove for longitudinal sliding movement with respect thereto, and being adapted to prevent separation of the strip and threshold by relative transverse movement.

5. In combination, a threshold for a sliding door and an elongated metallic strip carried by i and substantially coextensive: in. length with; the I lower edge of a the door and cooperating with-the threshold for-urelatively sliding movement, said threshold comprising a; horizontal tread sectionand a marginal pedestal section, the latter including an upwardly projecting flange having an inner wa11= spaced from the outer edge of the outwardlylsaid=striphaving an integral downwardly projecting flange coextensive in length with the strip and slidably disposed insaid channel and an outwardly and integral downwardly inclined secondflange of equal length overlying the inclined wall of the first flange and serving as a raindrip. j v

6. The combination with a threshold for a sliding door including surfaces forming an upwardly facing, relatively narrow, longitudinally extending channel, of an elongated substantially rigid extruded metal strip carried by and substantially coextensive in length with the lower edge of the sliding door and including a tongue of equal length disposed in said channel, and a flexible sheet metal weather strip of equal length as, and

channel is provided, and means secured to the bottom portion of and substantially coextensive in length with the door and presenting a down wardly projecting tongue extending along the outer, edge of the door and into said channel wherein it is slidable, said means also presenting a longitudinal flange integral with said downwardly projecting tongue and equal in length therewith and extending freely outwardly over v extending freely outwardly over said upstanding said upstanding tongue and downwardly in front of the latter and adapted to serve as a raindrip. 8. The combination with a sliding door, of a saddle comprising a tread section having'a horizontal top wall disposed under the door, said top wall having a depending flange under the outer edge of the door, the lower edge of said flange being continued around and upwardly into an upstanding tongue extending in parallel relation to said flange whereby a narrow upwardly open channel is provided, means's'ecured to the bottom portion of the door and presenting a downtween the two saddles and outwardly leading.

drainage provisions for the last-named channel formed in the first saddle.

9. The combination with a sliding door, of a saddle comprising a tread section having a horizontal top wall disposed under the door, said top wall having-adepending flange under the outer edge 'of the door, the lower edge of "said flange being continued around and upwardly'into"an upstanding tongue extending in parallel relation to said flange whereby a narrow upwardly open channel is provided, said tread section being pro- I vided outwardly of said tongue "with a longitudi-i nally extending," inwardly enlarged recess of arcuate contour *cross-se'ctionally, the saddle including a s'ides'ection having a bead complementary tosaidfrecess and engageable :therein' by relative longitudinal movement and when so engaged the two sections being pivotal relative to each other, and means secured to the bottom portion of the door and presenting a downwardly projecting tongue substantially coextensive in length with the door and extending along the outer edge of the door and into said channel wherein itis slidable, said means also presenting a longitudinal flange extending freely outwardly over said upstanding tongue and downwardly in front of the latter and adapted to serve as a raindrip. I

10; The combination with a sliding door, of a saddle comprising a tread section having a horizontal top wall disposed under the door, said top Wall having a depending flange under the outer edge of the door, the lower edge of said flange being continued around and upwardly into an upstanding tongue extending in parallel relation to said flange whereby a narrow upwardly open channel is provided, unitary means secured to the bottom portion of the door and presenting a downwardly projecting tongue substantially coextensive in length with the door and extending. along the outer edge of the door and into ,said channel wherein it is slidable, said means also including an integral longitudinal flange tongue and downwardly in front of the latter and adapted to serve as a raindrip, and a sepa-' rate, flexible weather strip secured to said means and extending along one side of said downwardly projecting tongue for cooperation with a wall of said channel.

11. A threshold construction for a pair of parallel horizontally sliding doors, comprising spaced, parallel, longitudinally extending tread sections disposed below the doors, each of said sections havingva guiding channel along its outer edge and said doors having guide strips secured to their outer faces along and substantially coextensive inlength with the lower edges thereof and including downwardly projecting flanges equal in length to the strips and slidably disposed i in said channels, the outer tread section having along its inner upper edge, an integral inwardly projecting'substantially horizontal flange, substantially closing the space between said sections.

12. In combination, a threshold for sliding doors and a cooperating extruded metal section substantially coextensive in length with and carried by one face of the door at the lower edge thereof in slidable relation with respect to the threshold, said threshold having walls forming an elongated, reentrant, cross-sectionally rounded,

longitudinally extending groove along one side thereof, said extruded metal section carried by the door having a pair of flanges projecting downwardly in spaced relation, the inner flange having a cross-sectionally rounded head extending from end to end of the section and disposed in said reentrant groove for longitudinal sliding movement and being adaptedto prevent separaration of the strip and threshold by relative transverse movement, the other flange onv said section being spaced outwardly from thezfirstmentioned flange and being poistioned to conceal the connection between the first-mentioned flange and groove. 7

13. The combination with a sliding door, of a saddle comprising a tread section of substantial width directly underlying the door and spaced above the threshold, downwardly projecting supporting flanges integral with said section adjacent 1 0 the opposite edges thereof, and an upwardly pro- FRED W. KAMMER-ER; 

